Becoming Irresistible… (part 1)
Sexy looks, extreme athletic ability, tons of money, super creative, Nobel prize intelligence…..these things make someone irresistible to our culture. These are the people that end up on the TV talk show circuit and eventually become a household names to all of us. They are a magnet for attention, opportunities and exposure….and we hold these people up in high regard and place them on pedestals.
OK -nothing new here – Our desire to be around these people happens every day….
What I want to know is….what makes an irresistible church? How do you create a place where people are passionate and excited about being apart of what God is doing in this world. What happens when you go to a church where people genuinely care about you and where you are going in life….a place where the pressure to pretend is thrown out the window and everyone understands that it’s about God’s grace -not our effort.
We are going to talk about those questions and more this Sunday as we kick off our new series. Invite a friend and start praying right now. I think it’s going to be a game changer. Excited to kick off 2011 together.
PS – For all of you loved the 80′s -I have a story about my high school career and NKOTB that I’m planning on telling Sunday…
Tom
It’s a NEW year…
Posted by tomelmore in Everything Else, Family, Thrive on December 30, 2010
I love the word “NEW”.
Every 365 days we feel like life is giving us a “do over”, an opportunity to improve on our last years success and learn for our previous mistakes. God created and loves this concept of NEW…
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a NEW PERSON by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2
In Romans we Paul challenges to let God transform our thoughts and through that our life -until we become a “NEW PERSON”, I am excited and challenged by what that means for me in 2011. But before I close the door on 2010 – here are some of my favorite moments / thrive memories from the past year.
1) “I STILL DO” renewing of vows Ceremony during our “I want a new marriage” series. What a privilege to stand with all couples as they renewed their love and their commitment to their marriage. Easily one of the highlights of my year.
2) Baptizing almost 40 people in a horse trough this year. This blows me away…I pray many more to come in 2011
3) Finding out that 225 people have committed or re-committed their life to Christ at our church this year. This is why we started Thrive…to make it easy for people to find and follow God. Thankful and excited that he is using us to spread his love.
4) Leading our Stogies and Scripture group for guys that are wanting friendship and a deeper connection with God. I have truly enjoyed the bond of friendship that have been built with so many of the guys…
5) Watching my buddy Tony Crank step ramp up to launch a life-giving church in Oregon. I remember what it was like 2 years ago when we launched..we are looking forward to partnering with Him. Every new church starts with a person that prays “God if your up to something I want to be apart of it” - This prayer is the launching pad for God to do BIG THINGS people’s lives.
the best is yet to come…
PS – here is one of my favorite 2010 pictures of Cole…as you can see he is preparing to do something big.
Tom
3 Things you should know….
Still reeling from our Our Christmas services. They “blew doors”. I am so proud of everyone on our teams that made it happen. If you haven’t heard… tons of people made commitments to Christ and our attendance from last year was up 125% – that’s crazy -I’m learning… that’s God.
Here are three things you need to know…
1. JAN 2 WE ARE BACK! That’s right our next service is a whole week away. We are launching into the new year with a series we are calling “irresistible”. It’s all about how my wife feels about me…OK that’s a joke. It’s really about how some places in life just “pull us toward them”. Starbucks – Target….you name it. There are things that just make sense to us and draws us back to those environments. We are going to talk about what an Irresistible church looks like! Going to be Fun!
2. END OF YEAR GIVING – If you are wanting to give in time to receive 2010 credit from Uncle Sam….make sure you visit www.thrivechurch.cc and do it online. You can give your tithe or toward OUR GIFT in the same spot. Easy…
3. HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? Recently Jackie and I are hearing about some huge needs in people’s lives. I believe pray connects and empowers God to change our situation’s. If you have a something going on that you want us to pray with you about shoot us an e-mail at info@thrivechurch.cc
The best is yet to come
Tom
Christmas is on….
Posted by tomelmore in General, Next Right Step, Series, Thrive on December 23, 2010
Well, Tonight we are headed into 2 of 4 Christmas services at thrive. I am bouncing off the walls right now..I’m excited for our team, all the friends and relatives that will becoming and most of all – I’m excited about what God is going to do in people’s Hearts! If you still haven’t got your tickets – go online and print them out at www.thrivechurch.cc
If you are still on the fence about coming..get off it now. (Note – sitting on fences only end up hurting your butt anyway) Grab your friend – call your neighbor – and get in your car and come! It’s going to be some of our best services yet….
Here are a few HUGE THANK YOUS that need to happen right now…
1. Jez Babarcy and his whole family – you guys went over and above to make these services shine – proud of ya
2. Ron Palmero – with out you the light’s would just go “on and off” – now they actually make the presentation better! Nice job
3. Dave and Tricia Munson – all I can say is..never in my life have I seen two people give so much time to God…what you do is huge -we love you guys
4. Thrive Band…evey week you guys are getting better and better…JP thanks for rocking out on the drums with us -love it
5. Johnathan York, Lyndsey Minier, Brain Smith – thanks for putting the polish on our new set up – and guys thanks for not letting me win in Basketball…
6. Max, Alex and Conner – handing out over 1,000 invitations is gonna help change people’s spiritual direction – thanks for doing something Big for God during Christmas!
Got to go over message again for tonight….anyone have a good one? J/J
6:00 and 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night…
Merry Christmas -Tom
Where we are going as a church (part 3)
Where we are going as a church ( part 3)
Total Honesty!
It’s pretty simple. As we head into 2011 we want to create a culture where we can be 100% honest. Most people avoid sharing their feelings simply because they don’t’ want to hurt anyone. That doesn’t create a healthy culture. When I worked as a youth pastor at Kensington church in Troy MI we called this the tunnel of chaos…..most people want to be honest but rarely share that last 10%.. That 10% is the trust builder – the thing that usually everyone knows and feels, but is afraid to say out loud.
As we build our team I want people I fully TRUST leading with me. I want them to feel the freedom to share the last 10%. We need to create culture where we don’t shelter each other from the truth. Instead we want to help each other discover it. We want it to happen in love and for the betterment of the kingdom.
Here are some of the things recently that I have heard from our team that were totally honest. (FYI -I will keep from you some of the things that I have been totally honest about with them)
- I miss the mark during the messages when I stay focused on my notes….as a communicator I need to work harder to memorize the message in advance.
- My personality leans toward being vision driven and even inspirational….but people still leave confused and unclear on how to hit their objectives. To help them I need to include deadlines and allow them to ask Questions for clarity.
- Our message titles have felt “safe” in the last few months…..so much so that 11 out of 12 leaders agreed that we need to get back to our DNA and focus our talks around things lost people people are asking Q’s about.
- Our team has told me that I need to let go of “smaller things” and stay focused on the big stuff that will allow thrive to gain spiritual momentum.
Totally honesty can sometimes sting, but is important and necessary to build a life-giving church.
Tom
PS – Who have you invited to our Christmas Services? Molly and I went door to door last night in our neighborhood handing out tickets. It was awesome! (note to self -it’s easier when an adorable kid does the invite)
PSS – Here is a quick peek at our new series that we are launching in Jan. It’s going to be Huge for the kingdom…can’t wait
Where we are going as a church (part 2)
Leaders make things happen. All through out history. Any change good or bad..is the result of a leader leading someone into the unknown and bringing change.
As we are nearing the end of 2010 one thing that I get excited about is helping people reach their leadership potential. I am convinced there are people at thrive that are going to do some massive, incredible things for God in the coming years. Who knows perhaps the next the Billy Graham is in our kids or student ministry right now. (I know that sounds cliche…but it might actually be true.) One of the ways that we are creating a leadership culture is getting together monthly with everyone that are committed to leading volunteer teams.
So far, we have had some great conversations about our mission – our uniqueness – defining what leadership looks like – creating core values that as a team we are committed not to break. It’s been a blast. Every time I walk out of the that meeting. I am energized and ready to take on hell with a water pistol (one of my favorite youth ministry phrases I still use…and will until I go to heaven)
The point is this..God works through leaders…not dictators…not manipulators…put humble, serving leaders that are committed to bringing the right change. One of my prayers for 2011 is God help us identify and develop more leaders…leaders that are committed to seeing God show up and show out in people’s lives.
PS – if you still need tickets to 1 of our 4 Christmas services, you can download them online at www.thrivechurch.cc. Let’s be praying God does big things in peoples hearts during “Throwback Christmas”
Tom
PSS -here is another pic of my boy…Jackie and I woke up the other day and he was sitting in our bathroom sink….we would appreciate all the prayers you could muster..the terrible twos are upon us and we love it!
Where we are going as a church (part 1)
Posted by tomelmore in Leadership, Thrive on December 21, 2010
I took some time a few months ago and prayed about how we should kick off the new year at thrive. Let me start by saying sometimes when I pray -I hear nada – zero, nothing and sometimes….God gets really loud. This was one of those instances.
When we started this church 19 months ago we had a vision to make church irresistible again. To introduce people to God that were distant or damaged. We wanted to create an environment where people don’t feel pushed but inspired to move toward God. Our dream was to create a place that actually gives life to people. When a church gives life to people..when it helps people understand how Grace works in our lives…when it makes you smile every time you walk in the front door….when the people and the message help transform your life….that church becomes irresistible. To who? To your friends, co-workers, family and neighbors.
I believe that Thrive is becoming one of those churches. I can’t wait to share with you all the vivid details about it in January. We are calling the series “Irresistible”.
I’m beyond excited. Would you start praying with me right now for it!
thrive – love going on the journey with you.
Tom
PS -Here’s the latest family pic. of the Elmore’s
You’re a STAR….
Our Christmas service’s are only 2 days away. I can’t wait. The band is going “bring it”. Our videos for our services are phenomenal and I’m pretty psyched about the message. We have given out almost 1000 tickets and our team will have worked hundreds of hours to make the stage look great.
What’s going to make our Christmas services life-changing? YOU! You see God always works through people to bring people to Him. We talked last Sunday about each of us have the potential of being a Star during this Christmas season. Just like the star that the wisemen followed that lead them to the Christ Child. A star is bright and was essential for those guys to find the Messiah.
Who are you leading? I know I can think of a hundred reasons to let someone else be lead – let someone else be forgiving – or be an inspiration to others. The problem is I can’t control them…I can only control ME. So that means I if I believe that God can work through me – I should try and let Him.
So go make that call – invite someone to church this Thursday and Friday. Trust that God has already gone ahead of you and is working in the other person’s heart. You can be a Star……Go do it
PEACE -Tom
Why this Christmas should count!
Christmas services are filling up FAST (one is almost completely full!) Tickets will be available this coming Sunday in the lobby …OR you can go online here and get your ticket. I saw this statistic the other day that I wanted to share here…
Top Five Times People Are Open To Considering Matters Of Faith…
* #5 – After the birth of a baby (28%)
* #4 – After a natural disaster (34%)
* #3 – After a major national crisis i.e. 9/11 (38%)
* #2 – During the Easter season (38%)
* #1 – During the Christmas season (47%)
Guys…my prayer is that we will EMBRACE this opportunity (because everyone needs someone to point them to Christ) and do EVERYTHING we can to BRING people to a service on Christmas!!! Research ALSO shows that the #1 way a person will receive information about a church is through the PERSONAL INVITE from a friend or family member. Let’s go after them like Jesus went after us!!!
PS – this Sunday is Ugly Sweater / Pot Luck Sunday at Thrive…there is no way I would miss this one -hope you don’t!
Tom
